<![CDATA[Beasts of Beyond - The Horde]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 06:34:23 +0000 MyBB <![CDATA[i will Fight]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18331 Wed, 11 Dec 2024 19:15:51 +0000 Flora]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18331
This was a threat and she couldn't leave it here. She let her tail brush the cub under her feet. A young tiger hybrid. She was not going to leave them. The young hybrid needed her and she had the mothering instinct in her. So, she turned her gaze to the cub. Nuzzling it before her head turned back. Muscles bunching before she lurched forward. The yowl that left her maw causing the bear to look up. It reared up and swatted her from the air. Toppling to the floor she barely dogged a massive paw. She darts back into the trees. Blood oozing from her chest where a few small scratched marred her fur.

She heard the snarls and watched him search. So, she scrambled silently into the trees. Watching. Waiting. Then, she leaps in a silent arch. The bear seeing her far to late to react, she was already on its back. She looked so much smaller in comparison to the beast. Anger in her belly at the thought of the beast chasing the cub. You like to bully kids? Try me for size! The words were laced with venom. The woman dug her claw in deep. The bear thrashing as she pulled her dagger from its hilt.

Stabbing it into the base of the skull as the thrashing continued. Suddenly there was a bellow and thud. The bear twitching as she pulled the dagger free. setting it back in the sheath after cleaning the blood off on her own fur. She would leap away from the slowly fading bear. Watching it before reaching up to grab the cub. Pulling it down to look it over. You look fine kid. Way to young to be out here alone, though. She mused as she looked to the bear.]]>
This was a threat and she couldn't leave it here. She let her tail brush the cub under her feet. A young tiger hybrid. She was not going to leave them. The young hybrid needed her and she had the mothering instinct in her. So, she turned her gaze to the cub. Nuzzling it before her head turned back. Muscles bunching before she lurched forward. The yowl that left her maw causing the bear to look up. It reared up and swatted her from the air. Toppling to the floor she barely dogged a massive paw. She darts back into the trees. Blood oozing from her chest where a few small scratched marred her fur.

She heard the snarls and watched him search. So, she scrambled silently into the trees. Watching. Waiting. Then, she leaps in a silent arch. The bear seeing her far to late to react, she was already on its back. She looked so much smaller in comparison to the beast. Anger in her belly at the thought of the beast chasing the cub. You like to bully kids? Try me for size! The words were laced with venom. The woman dug her claw in deep. The bear thrashing as she pulled her dagger from its hilt.

Stabbing it into the base of the skull as the thrashing continued. Suddenly there was a bellow and thud. The bear twitching as she pulled the dagger free. setting it back in the sheath after cleaning the blood off on her own fur. She would leap away from the slowly fading bear. Watching it before reaching up to grab the cub. Pulling it down to look it over. You look fine kid. Way to young to be out here alone, though. She mused as she looked to the bear.]]> <![CDATA[its all about the Sunshine]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18330 Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:27:49 +0000 Jelloshots]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18330
Where to rest?

The woman moved to seek out a decent spot. Eyes scanning until she finds a decent sized meadow. The perfect secluded spot to rest. The woman moves into the meadow and places herself in a patch of daisies. Her favorite flower. Tails curling as she let her head rest on her front paws. Laying there until her eyes slowly drift shut.]]>
Where to rest?

The woman moved to seek out a decent spot. Eyes scanning until she finds a decent sized meadow. The perfect secluded spot to rest. The woman moves into the meadow and places herself in a patch of daisies. Her favorite flower. Tails curling as she let her head rest on her front paws. Laying there until her eyes slowly drift shut.]]> <![CDATA[THE DEVIL SINGS FOR ME]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18329 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 22:58:42 +0000 Project K]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18329
The gold faced wolf sat patiently, swaying gently to the tune he could still hear from within the great hall. Maybe things were looking up for him and the Horde as a whole? Maybe the suffering they had all endured actually meant something? The winter was coming, and it felt bitter, Project could feel it in his bones, the way he ached each morning. He had hope that maybe, with his old love returning, the mornings wouldn't be as frigid, and the nights would be less long.]]>
The gold faced wolf sat patiently, swaying gently to the tune he could still hear from within the great hall. Maybe things were looking up for him and the Horde as a whole? Maybe the suffering they had all endured actually meant something? The winter was coming, and it felt bitter, Project could feel it in his bones, the way he ached each morning. He had hope that maybe, with his old love returning, the mornings wouldn't be as frigid, and the nights would be less long.]]> <![CDATA[ICARUS, ICARUS ⇴ crash landing]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18325 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:16:18 +0000 imperialhymns]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18325
The smell of blood was in the air again. For those of the mountainous hold, it would be a normal occurrence, for those of the city, it wouldn't be a surprise. Hells, even to the woman in mid-flight it was a regular thing, even it was her own. Not that it was a happy thought or anything, but it was a far cry better than thinking of the searing pain spread between her shoulders. It was better than thinking about the ground rushing up to greet her, or thinking about her own family that she had lost track of. Something in her mind tingled with the memories of the past, of the long buried memories of her child and former partner. The tender memories of when Hayward was but a cub, full of the braveness that only an unfettered child could have, the many times that he had given her and PlayerOne terrible scares. The memories that overwhelmed her mind were those of her courtship with PlayerOne, of their children together when they were young with paws too large to manage walking, tender memories of taking flight with her former mate. Those memories were cherished, though new memories had joined them, of traveling with another, until he too had left. She couldn't fault him for that, each had their own things to do in life. 

A smirk crossed the woman's face as she struggled to get her wings to move with her aching body. The quick whipping of air past her head was almost a comfort, aside from the tossing of her stomach that indicated she was falling at a quick rate, she could almost swear she was flying high up in the air. She had been, until she had been embroiled in a fight high up in the air. It had been quick, not like the ambush that had taken her down a month earlier, and it had ended with her partially aflame and falling, her wings seized up and too stiff to move. That part would be scary for most, but she found the free fall exhilarating, her heart pounding as her breath came faster, thrills running down her spine, feeling inexplicably more alive than she ever had before. It was only reasonable to think of the people she loved in these moments, moments where death could be in the next breath, or life. Breath rushing through her nose as she twisted midair, looking at the ground below and the trees that were approaching too quickly, feeling the heat of the flame tingling along her fur and feathers. Well, this was just going to turn her into a fireball wasn't it? It was too late to try and force her wings to work, what should have been pain missing from the experience of falling, she knew that she had to be smoking pretty badly as cinders followed her descent. She could almost call herself Icarus, flying too high and too close to the sun only to fall for the foolishness of daring to do so. In her case though, she had flown too close to fire, entangled in a fight before her fall.

Quick were the trees to accept her into their embrace, branches and boughs snapping as they slowed her descent to some degree, the sound of cracking timber less than encouraging, though her situation was no less encouraging. B y the time she reached the ground, she knew she had to have broken a few bones in the fall. The impact of the ground catching her drove the air from her lungs, the woman laying crumpled on the ground with cinders and flames still burning away in her feathers. Laying there for a moment as the world came back into focus, the pain of her crash landing burning through her, ears ringing and head pounding. A groan left her as she blinked a few times, forcing herself to roll onto her back and her wings, trying to smoosh the cinders that were eating away at her. Hopefully someone would have seen her fall from the sky, or the sound of the damage she had done to the trees. There was no way in hell she would be able to get up and walk around looking for someone to ask questions of, not right now.

"Guh. Fuck. Is anyone out there?" A stupid question to ask, but hey, you never knew.]]>
The smell of blood was in the air again. For those of the mountainous hold, it would be a normal occurrence, for those of the city, it wouldn't be a surprise. Hells, even to the woman in mid-flight it was a regular thing, even it was her own. Not that it was a happy thought or anything, but it was a far cry better than thinking of the searing pain spread between her shoulders. It was better than thinking about the ground rushing up to greet her, or thinking about her own family that she had lost track of. Something in her mind tingled with the memories of the past, of the long buried memories of her child and former partner. The tender memories of when Hayward was but a cub, full of the braveness that only an unfettered child could have, the many times that he had given her and PlayerOne terrible scares. The memories that overwhelmed her mind were those of her courtship with PlayerOne, of their children together when they were young with paws too large to manage walking, tender memories of taking flight with her former mate. Those memories were cherished, though new memories had joined them, of traveling with another, until he too had left. She couldn't fault him for that, each had their own things to do in life. 

A smirk crossed the woman's face as she struggled to get her wings to move with her aching body. The quick whipping of air past her head was almost a comfort, aside from the tossing of her stomach that indicated she was falling at a quick rate, she could almost swear she was flying high up in the air. She had been, until she had been embroiled in a fight high up in the air. It had been quick, not like the ambush that had taken her down a month earlier, and it had ended with her partially aflame and falling, her wings seized up and too stiff to move. That part would be scary for most, but she found the free fall exhilarating, her heart pounding as her breath came faster, thrills running down her spine, feeling inexplicably more alive than she ever had before. It was only reasonable to think of the people she loved in these moments, moments where death could be in the next breath, or life. Breath rushing through her nose as she twisted midair, looking at the ground below and the trees that were approaching too quickly, feeling the heat of the flame tingling along her fur and feathers. Well, this was just going to turn her into a fireball wasn't it? It was too late to try and force her wings to work, what should have been pain missing from the experience of falling, she knew that she had to be smoking pretty badly as cinders followed her descent. She could almost call herself Icarus, flying too high and too close to the sun only to fall for the foolishness of daring to do so. In her case though, she had flown too close to fire, entangled in a fight before her fall.

Quick were the trees to accept her into their embrace, branches and boughs snapping as they slowed her descent to some degree, the sound of cracking timber less than encouraging, though her situation was no less encouraging. B y the time she reached the ground, she knew she had to have broken a few bones in the fall. The impact of the ground catching her drove the air from her lungs, the woman laying crumpled on the ground with cinders and flames still burning away in her feathers. Laying there for a moment as the world came back into focus, the pain of her crash landing burning through her, ears ringing and head pounding. A groan left her as she blinked a few times, forcing herself to roll onto her back and her wings, trying to smoosh the cinders that were eating away at her. Hopefully someone would have seen her fall from the sky, or the sound of the damage she had done to the trees. There was no way in hell she would be able to get up and walk around looking for someone to ask questions of, not right now.

"Guh. Fuck. Is anyone out there?" A stupid question to ask, but hey, you never knew.]]> <![CDATA[BORN FOR THIS [tournament thread!]]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18322 Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:56 +0000 PHOENIX DRACO]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18322
He sighed, tensed muscles finally relaxing after all the hard work. “Alright, that should be everything.” The Grand Marshal gave those who had helped him set up a nod and the go ahead to take a seat. Leaping up into the chairs overlooking the grounds in their entirety, he braced himself to speak to the people of the Horde.

“Citizens of The Horde! I welcome you all to our celebratory Knight Tournament! This is a very important time for some of you who are looking to join the ranks of our Knights, and in that endeavor, I wish you all good luck! For the rest of you, this is a chance to show your skills in battle, so give it your all! May the Tournament begin!”]]>
He sighed, tensed muscles finally relaxing after all the hard work. “Alright, that should be everything.” The Grand Marshal gave those who had helped him set up a nod and the go ahead to take a seat. Leaping up into the chairs overlooking the grounds in their entirety, he braced himself to speak to the people of the Horde.

“Citizens of The Horde! I welcome you all to our celebratory Knight Tournament! This is a very important time for some of you who are looking to join the ranks of our Knights, and in that endeavor, I wish you all good luck! For the rest of you, this is a chance to show your skills in battle, so give it your all! May the Tournament begin!”]]> <![CDATA[everybody gonna dip {joiner}]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18307 Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:58:41 +0000 Flora]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18307
She hoped her luck would change. She would find a new home and live there without fear. She was not sure about finding love or a family. After all, once bitten twice shy. So, she avoided the thought all together. Start small and work her way up to such daring things. The woman snorted at the thought. Paws coming to a stop as she smelled a scent. A border. She knew that smell was a clear sign of a group.

So, she sat. Patiently waiting.]]>
She hoped her luck would change. She would find a new home and live there without fear. She was not sure about finding love or a family. After all, once bitten twice shy. So, she avoided the thought all together. Start small and work her way up to such daring things. The woman snorted at the thought. Paws coming to a stop as she smelled a scent. A border. She knew that smell was a clear sign of a group.

So, she sat. Patiently waiting.]]> <![CDATA[Party 'til the Sun's Up // Masquerade]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18301 Sun, 03 Nov 2024 02:14:33 +0000 Project K]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18301
"I know you both don't get paid to help an old man stand, but I appreciate the support." Came a hushed, low apology, the Knight Captain's pride hurting almost as much as his body. "Can't believe I got saddled with this task by the boss lady. I mean seriously, I haven't been to one of these things in eons. How do you two recommend we kick this off? We've had most of the work done, aside from the food and drink, but that's a bit beyond my scope." He asks, watching the handful of his working party scuttle about before heading into the Hall to continue their decoration. 

"Sire, we are paid to protect you, as the same for The Lady and the Grand Marshal. Offering you support when standing is an honor we accept as Praetorians." The gold armored guard to the wolf's right answered, earning a soft chuckle from the veteran. The laughter brought forth confusion from the duo, only dismissed when Project shook his head. 

"Very by the books, eh Praetor? I appreciate that, but that doesn't help me much." The wolf spoke, sighing as he leaned back into his Guard's side, watching the work continue. "Well, times wasting. I recommend you wrangle me some Knights to spread word of the gala, we will be starting as soon as sun goes down, understood?" Project continued, raising his voice so his bark could be heard clearly across the cobbled commons, his Knights and Squires pausing to look up at the Captain before a unanimous 'yes captain' was reported back. 

Short hours seemed to speed by, and before anyone knew it, sun was beginning to set over the crests and peaks of the surrounding mountains, basking the manor in a rich, purple light, with golden rays of light being emitted from the multiple ceremonial braziers casting their glow across the masked masses who had since assembled in anticipation of the ball. At the door stood the golden clad Praetors flanking a black and orange wolf draped in the red and black dress uniform of the Knights Order, purple accents indicating he held the rank of Captain. His bandaged face was hidden with a full-face mask, porcelain white swapped out with decadent gold, polished to shine like that of his two silent companions. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that the gala is beginning. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow, we may die." Came Project's loud bark over the stilled crowd, the two large, heavy doors opening behind him as he stepped aside, letting the crowd pass by him into the grand hall, purple and gold fabrics and metal iconography decorating the building. The Captain was excited to see what his Knights had done, beyond proud of seeing how well they had done with such short notice. 


code by teef]]>
"I know you both don't get paid to help an old man stand, but I appreciate the support." Came a hushed, low apology, the Knight Captain's pride hurting almost as much as his body. "Can't believe I got saddled with this task by the boss lady. I mean seriously, I haven't been to one of these things in eons. How do you two recommend we kick this off? We've had most of the work done, aside from the food and drink, but that's a bit beyond my scope." He asks, watching the handful of his working party scuttle about before heading into the Hall to continue their decoration. 

"Sire, we are paid to protect you, as the same for The Lady and the Grand Marshal. Offering you support when standing is an honor we accept as Praetorians." The gold armored guard to the wolf's right answered, earning a soft chuckle from the veteran. The laughter brought forth confusion from the duo, only dismissed when Project shook his head. 

"Very by the books, eh Praetor? I appreciate that, but that doesn't help me much." The wolf spoke, sighing as he leaned back into his Guard's side, watching the work continue. "Well, times wasting. I recommend you wrangle me some Knights to spread word of the gala, we will be starting as soon as sun goes down, understood?" Project continued, raising his voice so his bark could be heard clearly across the cobbled commons, his Knights and Squires pausing to look up at the Captain before a unanimous 'yes captain' was reported back. 

Short hours seemed to speed by, and before anyone knew it, sun was beginning to set over the crests and peaks of the surrounding mountains, basking the manor in a rich, purple light, with golden rays of light being emitted from the multiple ceremonial braziers casting their glow across the masked masses who had since assembled in anticipation of the ball. At the door stood the golden clad Praetors flanking a black and orange wolf draped in the red and black dress uniform of the Knights Order, purple accents indicating he held the rank of Captain. His bandaged face was hidden with a full-face mask, porcelain white swapped out with decadent gold, polished to shine like that of his two silent companions. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that the gala is beginning. Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow, we may die." Came Project's loud bark over the stilled crowd, the two large, heavy doors opening behind him as he stepped aside, letting the crowd pass by him into the grand hall, purple and gold fabrics and metal iconography decorating the building. The Captain was excited to see what his Knights had done, beyond proud of seeing how well they had done with such short notice. 


code by teef]]> <![CDATA[Until It Doesn't Hurt ♤ Return]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18298 Sat, 02 Nov 2024 06:49:43 +0000 Project K]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18298
Months after that sick doctor, Xanti, had released him, Project was finally making his return to the Horde, his family. As revenge for killing their brother, xe had tortured him for weeks on end. His left eye was forcibly taken and destroyed, a few of his teeth were missing, his muzzle was a patchwork of infected scars, from where a rat had clawed its way to freedom through burned flesh that was stitched together. His right fore leg was deboned up to his elbow, dragging pitifully on the ground, providing no support to his limping gait. His breaths came short, ribs that weren't taken, broken from his odyssey back to friendly territory, a wet wheeze leaving his lips with every suck of air he took.

To say that Knight Captain Project was in a sorry state would have been the understatement of his lifetimes. Somewhere after the first two weeks, the wolf began to hallucinate, seeing the faces and voices of those he would have once called friends, once called lovers, their bitterness in his past actions causing him to continue to push forward.

"I will not die here. Not yet."

His own guilt had continued to force him forward, unwilling to die in some nameless land until he finally made good for his past lives. Project had done things to people eons ago that were unforgivable, and needed to be made right. Not out of shame, but out of guilt, out of a sense of duty. Even though he had lost them, they haunted his shadow, they appeared when he closed his eye. Chica, Cory, Jello... there were more, there was always more, the faces and names of those he had betrayed, used, lied to, they spurred him onwards, closer to home.

The night had descended unto the Horde and its foreboding keep. So close, oh gods above and below it was right there, he could taste the incense he had left burning in his Knight Commons. Trudging forward, the black and orange canine came face to face with the closed access door, body thudding weakly against the wooden barricade as he tried to make some sort of noise to gain anyone's attention. Slowly, he felt his strength leave him, eye beginning to close as he let out a deep, tired, wet sigh.

"So, this is it, huh?"

He didn't dare speak loudly, finding a macabre comfort in the chill his body was feeling, a welcome relief to the aches and stabbing pain he was cruelly subjected to over the past few weeks. Or was it months? Years? His memory wasn't with him at this point, who knew how long he had been gone.

code by teef]]>
Months after that sick doctor, Xanti, had released him, Project was finally making his return to the Horde, his family. As revenge for killing their brother, xe had tortured him for weeks on end. His left eye was forcibly taken and destroyed, a few of his teeth were missing, his muzzle was a patchwork of infected scars, from where a rat had clawed its way to freedom through burned flesh that was stitched together. His right fore leg was deboned up to his elbow, dragging pitifully on the ground, providing no support to his limping gait. His breaths came short, ribs that weren't taken, broken from his odyssey back to friendly territory, a wet wheeze leaving his lips with every suck of air he took.

To say that Knight Captain Project was in a sorry state would have been the understatement of his lifetimes. Somewhere after the first two weeks, the wolf began to hallucinate, seeing the faces and voices of those he would have once called friends, once called lovers, their bitterness in his past actions causing him to continue to push forward.

"I will not die here. Not yet."

His own guilt had continued to force him forward, unwilling to die in some nameless land until he finally made good for his past lives. Project had done things to people eons ago that were unforgivable, and needed to be made right. Not out of shame, but out of guilt, out of a sense of duty. Even though he had lost them, they haunted his shadow, they appeared when he closed his eye. Chica, Cory, Jello... there were more, there was always more, the faces and names of those he had betrayed, used, lied to, they spurred him onwards, closer to home.

The night had descended unto the Horde and its foreboding keep. So close, oh gods above and below it was right there, he could taste the incense he had left burning in his Knight Commons. Trudging forward, the black and orange canine came face to face with the closed access door, body thudding weakly against the wooden barricade as he tried to make some sort of noise to gain anyone's attention. Slowly, he felt his strength leave him, eye beginning to close as he let out a deep, tired, wet sigh.

"So, this is it, huh?"

He didn't dare speak loudly, finding a macabre comfort in the chill his body was feeling, a welcome relief to the aches and stabbing pain he was cruelly subjected to over the past few weeks. Or was it months? Years? His memory wasn't with him at this point, who knew how long he had been gone.

code by teef]]> <![CDATA[gold ― intro, trading]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18235 Sat, 03 Aug 2024 06:28:19 +0000 Aurum]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18235
☀ I'LL KISS THE SKY AND DISAPPEAR
Look, he wouldn't really call himself a "merchant", per se, but somehow, no matter what he did, he found himself as an errand boy. Aurum was a little too nice to say no, especially from little old raggedy felines who pinched his cheeks and asked if he could go fetch them feathers for their pillows, or the one mate who was always, conveniently, 'out of berries' for their latest pastry recipe, or that one guard who always seems to spot him as he's leaving, no matter how much he tries to blend in with the crowd, just to dump another fetch quest on him.

It wasn't like it was his fault he was this dashingly handsome, of course - or that his pelt clashed amongst the crowd - but it seemed like he was ill-fated to be forever working for everyone else. Not like that was a big issue though - being able to be useful for others was one of the joys in life - it was just sometimes he wished he could get a little bit for himself. Aurum tried today, at least, to find something different out in the wilderness to bring back to trade with others. Not too fussy for monetary value, he just looked for anything useful he could get his grubby mitts on. Barely had he stepped into the Marketplace was he bombarded by the lovely NPCs demanding their requested items - first the guard, "Ah, yes, Sir, here's your olives for your metal polish- remember to add some vinegar with the olive oil too, don't be afraid to put in some elbow grease, yeah?" he'd barely gotten a 'thanks' before the guard stormed off back toward his barracks, presumably; next was his baker friend, who at least hung back before gesturing for his goods. "Right, here's your berries, I didn't get much in the way of blueberries but I found some blackberries for you, that alright?" his friend nodded, handed him over a lightweight pouch of coins, before telling him to have a good day and disappearing into the crowd.

Well then. He had a feeling the feathers for the elderly citizen would have to wait for the next morning - she didn't frequent the marketplace in the afternoons... what did that leave him with? Pulling a rugged blanket from his satchel, he began to spread out his wares - or what he had left; an old pair of shearing scissors, still mildly shiny, along with a matching pair of fireplace tongs; a collection of acorns and pinecones, along with other seedpods, some fish nabbed from the rivers across the mountains, still carefully wrapped up - and some of his own creations, mostly knitted pieces; a few scarves, arm warmers thin enough to go under armor, a few beanies and an extremely soft shawl. All of which he was especially proud of; he didn't know if he could part with them, but if he could get supplies for his next outings, or even for more crafting down the line; all was good. "Wares for trade! Fresh fish, warm undergarments, odds and ends!" He felt, for a moment that his voice was drowned in the din of the marketplace, but he still spotted heads turning to his measly stall as they passed.

tl;dr: aurum's trading some wears!! he prefers trading for other items and supplies than money but he might budge
inventory:
- old lightly rusted pair of shears, one pair of fireplace tongs
- acorns, pinecones and seedpods
- fish of varying sizes
- scarves, arm warmers, armor linings, beanies, a super soft shawl, made by him
aurum palani arbor ― tags
]]>
☀ I'LL KISS THE SKY AND DISAPPEAR
Look, he wouldn't really call himself a "merchant", per se, but somehow, no matter what he did, he found himself as an errand boy. Aurum was a little too nice to say no, especially from little old raggedy felines who pinched his cheeks and asked if he could go fetch them feathers for their pillows, or the one mate who was always, conveniently, 'out of berries' for their latest pastry recipe, or that one guard who always seems to spot him as he's leaving, no matter how much he tries to blend in with the crowd, just to dump another fetch quest on him.

It wasn't like it was his fault he was this dashingly handsome, of course - or that his pelt clashed amongst the crowd - but it seemed like he was ill-fated to be forever working for everyone else. Not like that was a big issue though - being able to be useful for others was one of the joys in life - it was just sometimes he wished he could get a little bit for himself. Aurum tried today, at least, to find something different out in the wilderness to bring back to trade with others. Not too fussy for monetary value, he just looked for anything useful he could get his grubby mitts on. Barely had he stepped into the Marketplace was he bombarded by the lovely NPCs demanding their requested items - first the guard, "Ah, yes, Sir, here's your olives for your metal polish- remember to add some vinegar with the olive oil too, don't be afraid to put in some elbow grease, yeah?" he'd barely gotten a 'thanks' before the guard stormed off back toward his barracks, presumably; next was his baker friend, who at least hung back before gesturing for his goods. "Right, here's your berries, I didn't get much in the way of blueberries but I found some blackberries for you, that alright?" his friend nodded, handed him over a lightweight pouch of coins, before telling him to have a good day and disappearing into the crowd.

Well then. He had a feeling the feathers for the elderly citizen would have to wait for the next morning - she didn't frequent the marketplace in the afternoons... what did that leave him with? Pulling a rugged blanket from his satchel, he began to spread out his wares - or what he had left; an old pair of shearing scissors, still mildly shiny, along with a matching pair of fireplace tongs; a collection of acorns and pinecones, along with other seedpods, some fish nabbed from the rivers across the mountains, still carefully wrapped up - and some of his own creations, mostly knitted pieces; a few scarves, arm warmers thin enough to go under armor, a few beanies and an extremely soft shawl. All of which he was especially proud of; he didn't know if he could part with them, but if he could get supplies for his next outings, or even for more crafting down the line; all was good. "Wares for trade! Fresh fish, warm undergarments, odds and ends!" He felt, for a moment that his voice was drowned in the din of the marketplace, but he still spotted heads turning to his measly stall as they passed.

tl;dr: aurum's trading some wears!! he prefers trading for other items and supplies than money but he might budge
inventory:
- old lightly rusted pair of shears, one pair of fireplace tongs
- acorns, pinecones and seedpods
- fish of varying sizes
- scarves, arm warmers, armor linings, beanies, a super soft shawl, made by him
aurum palani arbor ― tags
]]> <![CDATA[all the saints, but mostly sinners]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18234 Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:02:46 +0000 Lady Myranda]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18234
Even now, as she sipped her peppermint tea at a table beneath a veranda in the Gated Gardens, she sifted through a logbook of all the merchants who had come and gone between the late hour of 8pm and early hour of 8am respectively last night. Names, wares, how much coin they came with and how much they left with and how much the City taxed in return for using the Marketplace as a place to sell their wares in the first place.

Her gaze flicked up at the sound of quiet, barely-there paw steps and the tell-tale creak of the iron gate swinging open. Who could possibly be coming into the Gardens at this early hour?

]]>
Even now, as she sipped her peppermint tea at a table beneath a veranda in the Gated Gardens, she sifted through a logbook of all the merchants who had come and gone between the late hour of 8pm and early hour of 8am respectively last night. Names, wares, how much coin they came with and how much they left with and how much the City taxed in return for using the Marketplace as a place to sell their wares in the first place.

Her gaze flicked up at the sound of quiet, barely-there paw steps and the tell-tale creak of the iron gate swinging open. Who could possibly be coming into the Gardens at this early hour?

]]> <![CDATA[[INTRO] at least i'm looking down]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18233 Fri, 02 Aug 2024 01:39:05 +0000 Lady Myranda]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18233
Vittorio left first, as he oft did, no doubt off to find his friends before his training began later, and the kitchen lapsed into uncomfortable silence as Myranda steadfastly ignored the presence of her dull husband, who left next, though to do what she was unsure and didn't care to find out.

Myranda left the house next, shadowed by a beagle donning chainmail. He looked young and green, in her opinion, but she kept her opinion to herself and spoke to him politely as she lead the way down the cobblestones towards the Marketplace in the center of Fort Crom. It was a hustle and bustle as usual, but the liveliness was refreshing when compared to her loathingly quiet household back in the upper parts of the Fort.

Myranda made her way over to a booth tended to by an older lady, a frail looking maine coon, who scrambled to look a little more presentable at the sight of a customer. As for the feline's wares, she offered all kinds of cotton and wool. Most of it was dull and seemed scratchy, but there was a particular fur that stood out to her. It seemed to have belonged to a wolf before the creature was skinned for its pelt. The colour was a marvellous white, fading into blackened tips. "How old was the animal this came from?" Myranda queried, marvelling at the softness of the fur beneath her pawpads, her gaze flicking up to meet the maine coon's.

The old woman smiled back at her, some of her teeth yellow or broken, her eyes slightly glazed over with cataracts. "Six months, my Lady. Still a pup. Died of a sickness, it did."

Myranda hummed, her head tilting to one side. "And has it been washed thoroughly?"

The feline nodded quickly, seemingly rather excited, pleased even, that Myranda seemed so interested in her wares. "Washed with water and a drop of vinegar and some lemon, it has," a pause, and then a hastily tacked on; "my Lady," for pleasantries sake.

Myranda fell silent for a moment, looking over the pretty fur with a critical gaze. Finally, she gave a single nod. "I'll take it. I'll send a errand boy to pick it up later on." She motioned to the chainmail-clad beagle, who hastily stepped up to scoop a generous amount of coin from his satchel and drop it onto the counter.

The maine coon's eyes glittered, surprised and delighted by the amount of gold now littering her booth's table. "This is... Far too much!" She tried to say, but Myranda had already turned away, the smallest of smiles curling imperceptivity at the corners of her lips.

"Where to now, my Lady?" The beagle asked, his tail wagging frantically back and forth. Myranda momentarily entertained the thought that his energetic personality reminded her quite a lot of her son, Vittorio. "To the Gardens I should think, Ser."]]>
Vittorio left first, as he oft did, no doubt off to find his friends before his training began later, and the kitchen lapsed into uncomfortable silence as Myranda steadfastly ignored the presence of her dull husband, who left next, though to do what she was unsure and didn't care to find out.

Myranda left the house next, shadowed by a beagle donning chainmail. He looked young and green, in her opinion, but she kept her opinion to herself and spoke to him politely as she lead the way down the cobblestones towards the Marketplace in the center of Fort Crom. It was a hustle and bustle as usual, but the liveliness was refreshing when compared to her loathingly quiet household back in the upper parts of the Fort.

Myranda made her way over to a booth tended to by an older lady, a frail looking maine coon, who scrambled to look a little more presentable at the sight of a customer. As for the feline's wares, she offered all kinds of cotton and wool. Most of it was dull and seemed scratchy, but there was a particular fur that stood out to her. It seemed to have belonged to a wolf before the creature was skinned for its pelt. The colour was a marvellous white, fading into blackened tips. "How old was the animal this came from?" Myranda queried, marvelling at the softness of the fur beneath her pawpads, her gaze flicking up to meet the maine coon's.

The old woman smiled back at her, some of her teeth yellow or broken, her eyes slightly glazed over with cataracts. "Six months, my Lady. Still a pup. Died of a sickness, it did."

Myranda hummed, her head tilting to one side. "And has it been washed thoroughly?"

The feline nodded quickly, seemingly rather excited, pleased even, that Myranda seemed so interested in her wares. "Washed with water and a drop of vinegar and some lemon, it has," a pause, and then a hastily tacked on; "my Lady," for pleasantries sake.

Myranda fell silent for a moment, looking over the pretty fur with a critical gaze. Finally, she gave a single nod. "I'll take it. I'll send a errand boy to pick it up later on." She motioned to the chainmail-clad beagle, who hastily stepped up to scoop a generous amount of coin from his satchel and drop it onto the counter.

The maine coon's eyes glittered, surprised and delighted by the amount of gold now littering her booth's table. "This is... Far too much!" She tried to say, but Myranda had already turned away, the smallest of smiles curling imperceptivity at the corners of her lips.

"Where to now, my Lady?" The beagle asked, his tail wagging frantically back and forth. Myranda momentarily entertained the thought that his energetic personality reminded her quite a lot of her son, Vittorio. "To the Gardens I should think, Ser."]]> <![CDATA[What named they the moon in every world?]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18230 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 23:54:16 +0000 SAKURA R. LINGRÉ]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18230
Catching a small tune in her mind, she hummed as she hopped back over the counter and began to place the glasses in a pot of warm water, set over a fire. She reached for a cloth rag over the wash-counter, and set about rinsing the plates, glasses, and cutlery. Things she had scavenged when she first came to The Horde, or traded gold for. 

Setting the dishes on the dry-counter, her ears twitched as she heard the doors open. Her golden-and-silver earrings clinked as she briefly looked up - not enough to tell who had walked in, before looking back as she straightened her stock of liquor and drinks. Her voice was a warm, welcoming tone she put up whenever a new patron entered, "Welcome in! Come to the bar counter, I'll get you settled in a moment."]]>
Catching a small tune in her mind, she hummed as she hopped back over the counter and began to place the glasses in a pot of warm water, set over a fire. She reached for a cloth rag over the wash-counter, and set about rinsing the plates, glasses, and cutlery. Things she had scavenged when she first came to The Horde, or traded gold for. 

Setting the dishes on the dry-counter, her ears twitched as she heard the doors open. Her golden-and-silver earrings clinked as she briefly looked up - not enough to tell who had walked in, before looking back as she straightened her stock of liquor and drinks. Her voice was a warm, welcoming tone she put up whenever a new patron entered, "Welcome in! Come to the bar counter, I'll get you settled in a moment."]]> <![CDATA[i don't (don't want no) want no (no knockoff)]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18223 Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:15:19 +0000 VALE]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18223
graphic gore ★ genderpunk ★ three-eyed fox
The three-eyed fox landed on the marketplace’s cobblestones. Xyr white wings tucked to xyr side, with one wing half-over the satchel across their side. Xe’d been warned about pickpockets. But xe had not been warned about the sheer noise. Vale’s nose scrunched in disdain as the children’s yells, the squawking livestock, the countless paws smacking stone… the ringing bells, the off-key shriek of windchimes, the metallic clatter of knights’ armor… so much fucking noise!

Xe side-eyed the mercenary who’d escorted xem here from the border, and Hayward glanced askance at xem in return.

Vale snorted. An observant escort, huh? Not surprising. Despite his lack of intelligence, cunning gleamed in his pink eyes.

The sabertooth cat squinted skeptically down at Vale. “You change your mind about trading for chickens? ‘Cause, if so, I’d better escort you back where I found you.”

“Ugh, no, the noise is just annoying.” Vale rolled xyr eyes. “Please lead me to the chicken merchant.”

Hayward blinked suspiciously at Vale. Then shook his head and shrugged. “Eh, yeah, why would you know where the chicken merchant is…?”

The sabertooth cat and the arctic fox traversed through the crowd. Evidently, the mercenary had a bit of a reputation—or maybe it was just his height—because the crowd moved accordingly. Vale licked a tooth. Usually, xe needed to use gore to move through a populated place like this with ease. But, then again, xe hadn’t been able to keep a body larger than a wolf stable for more than a day. A form like xyr lion birth body? Psh, xe couldn’t keep that together for more than five minutes.

Hayward stopped. Nudged the distracted Vale with a paw, then gestured to the merchant stall before the two.

Vale squinted at the caged chickens. Ugh. Maybe xe shouldn’t have volunteered for this trade mission. All the chickens looked like… chickens. How the hell was an inquisitor specializing in art supposed to know what a laying hen versus a meatbird rooster look like?

Vale huffed. Then looked at the merchant. “I want thirteen laying hens.”

The white serval blinked lazily at Vale. He wore at least six chain necklaces with at sixteen different butterfly pendants. “What you got to trade?”

Vale rolled xyr eyes. Ugh. Why couldn’t xe just steal the chickens? But, yeah, yeah, Meteor was right, you can steal once from the Horde but you can trade infinite amount of times with the Horde. One is more optimal than the other. Whatever.

Vale pulled out a paw-sized rhino statue made out of coconut crab remains. It was exquisitely detailed, perfectly accurate to the true anatomy of a white rhino. And beautifully painted with no errant brushstroke to break the illusion of realistic skin. Vale placed this on the merchant’s stall. Then grinned. “This is worth at least five chickens, right?”

“That?” The merchant rolled his eyes. “That trinket’s worth a dead rooster and nothing more.”

Vale’s lips pulled back. “Fuck you.”

The serval’s eyes narrowed. Then he glanced at Hayward. “The hell?”

Hayward waved a paw dismissively, then laughed. “Let’s try a different chicken merchant.”

Vale swiped the rhino statue and carefully returned it to the satchel. “Hmph. I heard the Horde was cultured, but it seems cannibals have a higher appreciation for art.”

The serval blanched at that. Then looked nervously at Hayward.

Hayward glanced between Vale and the merchant, then smirked with a shake of his head. “Yeah, no, time to try the next chicken merchant.”
CAUTERIZED AND ATROPHIED ★ THIS IS MY UNBECOMING ★ NOW I WAIT FOR THE
]]>
graphic gore ★ genderpunk ★ three-eyed fox
The three-eyed fox landed on the marketplace’s cobblestones. Xyr white wings tucked to xyr side, with one wing half-over the satchel across their side. Xe’d been warned about pickpockets. But xe had not been warned about the sheer noise. Vale’s nose scrunched in disdain as the children’s yells, the squawking livestock, the countless paws smacking stone… the ringing bells, the off-key shriek of windchimes, the metallic clatter of knights’ armor… so much fucking noise!

Xe side-eyed the mercenary who’d escorted xem here from the border, and Hayward glanced askance at xem in return.

Vale snorted. An observant escort, huh? Not surprising. Despite his lack of intelligence, cunning gleamed in his pink eyes.

The sabertooth cat squinted skeptically down at Vale. “You change your mind about trading for chickens? ‘Cause, if so, I’d better escort you back where I found you.”

“Ugh, no, the noise is just annoying.” Vale rolled xyr eyes. “Please lead me to the chicken merchant.”

Hayward blinked suspiciously at Vale. Then shook his head and shrugged. “Eh, yeah, why would you know where the chicken merchant is…?”

The sabertooth cat and the arctic fox traversed through the crowd. Evidently, the mercenary had a bit of a reputation—or maybe it was just his height—because the crowd moved accordingly. Vale licked a tooth. Usually, xe needed to use gore to move through a populated place like this with ease. But, then again, xe hadn’t been able to keep a body larger than a wolf stable for more than a day. A form like xyr lion birth body? Psh, xe couldn’t keep that together for more than five minutes.

Hayward stopped. Nudged the distracted Vale with a paw, then gestured to the merchant stall before the two.

Vale squinted at the caged chickens. Ugh. Maybe xe shouldn’t have volunteered for this trade mission. All the chickens looked like… chickens. How the hell was an inquisitor specializing in art supposed to know what a laying hen versus a meatbird rooster look like?

Vale huffed. Then looked at the merchant. “I want thirteen laying hens.”

The white serval blinked lazily at Vale. He wore at least six chain necklaces with at sixteen different butterfly pendants. “What you got to trade?”

Vale rolled xyr eyes. Ugh. Why couldn’t xe just steal the chickens? But, yeah, yeah, Meteor was right, you can steal once from the Horde but you can trade infinite amount of times with the Horde. One is more optimal than the other. Whatever.

Vale pulled out a paw-sized rhino statue made out of coconut crab remains. It was exquisitely detailed, perfectly accurate to the true anatomy of a white rhino. And beautifully painted with no errant brushstroke to break the illusion of realistic skin. Vale placed this on the merchant’s stall. Then grinned. “This is worth at least five chickens, right?”

“That?” The merchant rolled his eyes. “That trinket’s worth a dead rooster and nothing more.”

Vale’s lips pulled back. “Fuck you.”

The serval’s eyes narrowed. Then he glanced at Hayward. “The hell?”

Hayward waved a paw dismissively, then laughed. “Let’s try a different chicken merchant.”

Vale swiped the rhino statue and carefully returned it to the satchel. “Hmph. I heard the Horde was cultured, but it seems cannibals have a higher appreciation for art.”

The serval blanched at that. Then looked nervously at Hayward.

Hayward glanced between Vale and the merchant, then smirked with a shake of his head. “Yeah, no, time to try the next chicken merchant.”
CAUTERIZED AND ATROPHIED ★ THIS IS MY UNBECOMING ★ NOW I WAIT FOR THE
]]> <![CDATA[bad dreams despite your good intentions / intro]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18220 Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:31:34 +0000 albrecht n.]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18220 "i am just a new invention" ✭ tags ── Night was... well, difficult for the vampire. One would think that, as a nightwalker, he would be out and about. And he was. He just may have had a few too many drinks, and fell asleep in his home at some point during the night. However, plagued by nightmares, he hardly got any actual rest. The following evening, he slammed the entrance to his home open and walked out, bleary eyed. He made it down some steps before tripping and falling on his face with a groan. ”This fucking sucks.”]]> "i am just a new invention" ✭ tags ── Night was... well, difficult for the vampire. One would think that, as a nightwalker, he would be out and about. And he was. He just may have had a few too many drinks, and fell asleep in his home at some point during the night. However, plagued by nightmares, he hardly got any actual rest. The following evening, he slammed the entrance to his home open and walked out, bleary eyed. He made it down some steps before tripping and falling on his face with a groan. ”This fucking sucks.”]]> <![CDATA[Those aren't meant to bend]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18216 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 02:58:14 +0000 Ares]]> https://beastsofbeyond.com/showthread.php?tid=18216
She did her best to ignore the occasional peasant and commonfolk that would veer sharply out of her way or tense up as she walked past. Her feathers would occasionally rise as a peasant stared at her, but that was short-lived. Ares could handle the adults that walked by, but she was more hesitant of the children. She was, after all, little at one point.

Finding a quiet spot on the street, nestled in an alleyway, Ares moved to lay there to escape the subtle drizzle that dampened her feathers. She snorted, reaching a claw up to scratch an itch by her scar. Heterochromatic eyes blinked wildly for a moment as she settled her head on the stony floor. Before long, her eyes had drifted shut.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but as she opened her eyes, she could see brief patches of sunlight on the ground. And about five young animals trying to pester her. They looked like felines -- not that she'd care what animals they were since they were oo-ing and awe-ing at her like she was some strange attraction. They scrabbled back as she barked angrily, but inched back when they realized she hadn't stood up.]]>
She did her best to ignore the occasional peasant and commonfolk that would veer sharply out of her way or tense up as she walked past. Her feathers would occasionally rise as a peasant stared at her, but that was short-lived. Ares could handle the adults that walked by, but she was more hesitant of the children. She was, after all, little at one point.

Finding a quiet spot on the street, nestled in an alleyway, Ares moved to lay there to escape the subtle drizzle that dampened her feathers. She snorted, reaching a claw up to scratch an itch by her scar. Heterochromatic eyes blinked wildly for a moment as she settled her head on the stony floor. Before long, her eyes had drifted shut.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but as she opened her eyes, she could see brief patches of sunlight on the ground. And about five young animals trying to pester her. They looked like felines -- not that she'd care what animals they were since they were oo-ing and awe-ing at her like she was some strange attraction. They scrabbled back as she barked angrily, but inched back when they realized she hadn't stood up.]]>